Are they making kids take spanish classes at school now??

Question

I GRADUATED IN 2001- FROM HIGH SCHOOL, AND WE WERE REQUIRED TO TAKE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE... BUT I HEARD THEY ARE NOW KIDS ARE FORCED TO TAKE SPANISH ONLY.... THAT IS MESSED UP! I THINK FOR SURE A SECOND OR THIRD LANGUAGE IS GREAT.... BUT SPANISH ONLY! ....WHY?? WHY IS MEXICO TAKING OVER OUR COUNTRY!!

Answer 1

I think so.
Thank god I didn't have to.
I took the standard diploma courses in High school so foreign languages weren't required.

Answer 2

Most schools offer choices between a variety of foreign languages. Some do require spanish. It's a very useful language to learn...

Answer 3

Yes, sadly enough they are. Many schools have spanish classes starting in at least 4th grade, with no signs of ever introducing other language options.

I'm all for kids starting to learn a 2nd and 3rd language at an early age (Europe has done this for years) but not just Spanish.

Answer 4

I have a 12 & 1/2 year old in the 7th grade... his classes look like this:

Language Arts
Algebra
Art
PE
Computers
Science
Social Studies
Foreign Language (which he does take Spanish but you are given a few choices)

Some schools will start Foreign Language classes in elementary school. (they say it's easier to pick up when younger) I think it's great because he will be well rounded, and no matter where my children go, who they go with, ect they will be able to adjust easily. (I wish I knew how to speak another language, but I never payed attention... even if just to know what is said on tv or about me sometimes lol) But in any case, I am proud to see my son excelling in school, and yes I know eventually, if not already, he will surpass me in education! Am proud to be raising well educated well rounded children. :)

Answer 5

Foreign languages should be mandatory in school. Go to Europe and the average student speaks 3 languages besides their native tongue. We are so backwards as far as education. We have the poorest math and science skills, and most public school students can't understand the basics of a foreign language...Great job congress of helping us compete in the world. I speak several languages, some better than others and it has always been an asset.

Answer 6

Even worse, they're making kids learn not just the cool math, but useful math too!

Schools aren't here to be fun past times, they're ment to give people some very important skills to help them make money. People who can speak spanish and english are much more valuable than people who can only speak english. This is just a fact. And face it, there are more people in America that can only speak spanish then there will ever be of people who can only speak french, so the demand is so much greater for a bi-lingual American to speak spanish, it's silly to speak anything else.

We have a french program in my school, but only a very small group takes it, because the vast majority of our students feel that direct need for spanish. face it, it's there.

Answer 7

Now they would like for students to have 3 years of a second language. Most other countries have that requirment.

Answer 8

I graduated in 2001 and at that time I know that you had to have a foreign language... I don't believe that it has to be Spanish though... Personally I think everyone needs to learn how to speak ENGLISH before they can learn another language.... We are in America, and that is the language that people spoke when they founded this country!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

yes, the kids have to have at least 2 years of a foreign language here in Texas anyway. My son hates it. I don't mind schools OFFERING foreign languages, but why is it a MANDATORY thing? It should be up to the student if they take these kinds of classes.It should only be mandatory that kids have PE or Gym everyday, but that's not happening!

Answer 10

Sure. In Spain, Mexico, et.

In USA: not that I know of. some schools have a foreign language requirement, but they give you choices of several languages.

I could be wrong. I don't keep tabs on every school.
but I listen to some right wing radio nuts and they haven't mentioned it yet.

Answer 11

You have to have a certain number of credits in a foreign language. But I think it's ridiculous to have to learn Spanish. Why not the other way around too?!